Glazing unit



D 1935- J. c. PARKINSON ET AL 2,025,770

GLAZING UNIT Filed Dec. 4, 1954 Q 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

AOMMH k/OJE'PH C PHRI IN6ON a @0 52?- 5 Han 11.4--

A TTORNEYSv INVENTORS Patented Dec. 31, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GLAZIN G UNIT vania Application December 4, 1934, Serial No. 755,92

4 Claims. (Cl. 20 56.5)

The invention relates to glazing units of the insulating type, which ordinarily consist of a pair of glass sheets spaced apart with a layer of air or other suitable gas therebetween, although 5 the number of glass sheets and insulating spaces may be multiplied if desired to increase the insulating capacity of the unit. The invention has for its principal objects the provision of an improved unit of simple rigid construction, easily 10 assembled, and adapted tomaintain a seal which is substantially permanent. A further object is the provision of improved means for dehydrating the air between the glass sheets when air is used as an insulating medium. Certain embodiments 15 of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a front view of a unit embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the unit. Fig. 3 -is a section through the clamp- 20 ing frame showing its shape before it is applied to the glass sheets. Fig. 4 is a section on an enlarged scale through the spacer. Fig. 5 is a face view of a modification. Fig. 6 is a vertical section through the unit of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 isan end 25 elevation. Fig. 8is a section through the spacer and clamping frame showing the shape of such members before they are applied to the unit. Fig. 9 is a view similar to that of Fig. 8 but showing a modification. And Fig. 10 is another view 30 similar to Fig. 8 showing a further modification.

Referring to the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 4, l, I are a pair of glass sheets; 2 is a spacing and sealing member; and 3 is a frame or clip which extends around the edges of the pair of 35 plates. The spacer 2 is preferably of rubber, but in order to increase the sealing contact between such member and the glass sheets, the spacer is provided with a surface layer 4 of sealing material, preferably more plastic in character than the rubber. This may be in the form of crude rubber or some other composition which will adapt itself to the surface of the glass, but which has sufllcient resiliency to prevent its being squeezed out when sealing pressure is applied.

45 Sealing pressure is applied by means of the frame member 3 preferably made in four sections and soldered together along the lines, (Fig. 1). The solder employed is of the type which will melt at a low temperature so that the heat re- 50 quired for this purpose will not injure the spacer 2 or the sealing layers 4. The frame is of spring metal and before its application to the glass sheets has the form shown in Fig. 3 with the sides of the U-section inclined toward each other.

55 After the frame is applied, the sides of the section are in parallel, as indicated in Fig. 2, so that yielding pressure is applied by such sides to the glass sheets. This insures that a seal will always be maintained between the sides of the spacer 2 and the inner faces of the glass sheets. 5 The T-shape in which the spacer is made not only insures a better sealing effect, but also involves a convenience in assembling the unit as the flange of the T, which engages the edges of the glass, fixes the position of the spacer so that no time need be lost in getting the spacer in proper position. The frame 3 is preferably constructed so that it will not be subject to rusting or oxidation. To this end the composition of the frame is preferably either a nickel chromium alloy, such as stainless steel or aluminum or steel, which is suitably protected by a plate of cadmium or nickel, the latter construction being substantially cheaper than the stainless steel.

In a construction of the kind above described. it is quite essential that the air in the space between the two sheets should be dehydrated, otherwise condensation will occur on the inner faces of the glass sheets under certain temperature conditions. One feature of the present invention is the provision of a dehydrating element which can be used conveniently and at low cost to secure a permanent dehydration of the air in the space between the sheets. We accomplish this result by placing in the space between the glass sheets a pellet 6 of such character that it will unite chemically with the moisture in the air to form a stable compound. I A number of materials may be used for this purpose, such as phosphorous pentoxide. sulphur trioxide, metallic sodium, metallic potassium, and certain of the alkaline earth metal oxides. Compounds of this character are to be distinguished from ordinary dehydrating agents which combine mechanically with water, but which tend to give it up when the temperature in the space containing the material rises above a given point, such as often occurs due to the heat of the suns rays upon the unit. The unit as above described is of a durable and permanent character. The spring action of the frame maintains the glass sheets in a rigid assembly and protects the edges of the glass sheets from injury. The soldering of the frame sections together makes the whole unit rigid and substantial and adds materially to its appearance.

Figs. 5 to 8 illustrate a modification which differs from that of Figs. 1 to 4 primarily in the character of the spacer. The spacer in this case comprises a U.-shaped member I of spring metal provided on its side edges with strips 8 of sealing material. This is similar in composition to the sealing material of the first construction, being of a character which is relatively plastic and yet has sufficient resilience to prevent its being squeezed out edgewise when pressure is applied to the glass sheets by the spring frame member 9 which is similar to the frame member 3 heretofore described except that the sides of the U-section are of less width. When the spring frame is applied, the spacer with its strips of yielding sealing material are placed under pressure which continues throughout the life of the unit. This type of construction is illustrated as dehydrated in a different manner, the frame being provided. with a pair of passages. l0, ID by means ofwhich dry air may be circulated between the sheets, after which the passages III are closed by a suitable sealing means, this being a well known means for securing a'dry air content between the glass sheets of a unit of this kind. If desired, nitrogen or other suitable inert gases may be substituted for the dry air.

Fig. 9 illustrates a slight modification of the structure shown in Fig. 8 in that the sides of the sealing member II are inclined away from each other instead of being in parallel. As a result when this member is used in the construction, and its sides are brought into parallelism in the composition operation, additional resilience is provided of a character similar to that of the frame member 9.

Fig. 10 illustrates another modification of the structures of Fig. 9 in that the spacing member I! is reversed in position, the result secured being the same as that in the Fig. 9 construction.

It .will be understood that the constructions shown are capable of considerable modification in matters of detail. The spring frame 9 of Figs. 5 to 10 is in practice made with a relatively loose fit on the glass Where its base and flanges join so that there will be no tendency to fracture the corners of the glass sheets at these points. The rubber spacer of Figs. 1 to 4 is preferably T-shape in cross section for the reason explained heretofore, but spacers of other cross section and material may be employed, the essential feature being the use of the spring frame in conjunction with a spacer which is somewhat yielding and will form a seal with the glass.

What we claim is:

1. In combination in a glazing unit, a pair of opposing glass sheets, a yielding spacer between the sheets at their edges whose side faces make sealing contact with the sheets, and a frame of spring metal of U cross section fitting around 1 the edges of the sheets with their sides engaging the surfaces of the sheets and exerting yielding pressure thereon, said frame having the sides of the U section of the same width inclined toward each other before application to the sheets but 11 lying in substantial parallelism when the frame isapplied to the sheets.

'2. In combination in a glazing unit, a pair of opposing glass sheets, a metal spacer of U shape in cross section between the sheets attheir edges 1| having sealing material on the sides which contact with the sheets, and a frame of spring metal of U cross section fitting around the edges of the sheets with their sides engaging the surfaces of the sheets and exerting yielding pressure thereon, 21 said frame having the sides of the U section of the same width inclined toward each other before application to the sheets but lying in substantial parallelism when the frame is applied to the sheets. 21

3. In combination in a glazing unit, a pair of opposing glass sheets, a spacer of spring metal U- shape in cross section whose side faces are covered with sealing material contacting with the sheets, and a metal frame U shape in cross section fitting 3: around the edges of the glass sheets, said spacer having the sides of the U section inclined away from each other before application to the sheets but lying in substantial parallelism when the frame is applied to the sheets. :1

4. In combination in a glazing unit, a pair of opposing glass sheets, a spacer between the sheets of resilient composition whose side faces form a seal with the surfaces of the sheets, and a frame of spring metal of U cross section fitting around the 4 edges of the sheets with their sides engaging the surfaces of the sheets and exerting yielding pressure thereon, said frame having the sides of the U section of the same width inclined toward each other before application to the sheets but lying in 4 substantial parallelism when the frame is applied to the sheets.

JOSEPH CARL PARKINSON.

ROBERT E. HANHLL. 5 

